How to help my dog grieve the loss of a friend and refusing to eat?
Hello, and thanks for your question. I'm sorry to hear that your older dog is likely nearing the end of her life, and it's great that you're thinking about Derek and how he may cope. In short, all dogs respond a little differently. Some go through a period of obvious mourning with a decreased appetite and lethargy, while others don't. Dogs are pretty resilient and flexible, and likely Derek will do ok, even if he needs some time to mourn and adjust to the changes without his buddy there. Just give him some extra love and attention, and provide some extra stimulation through bonding activities, such as play and walks. Usually within a week or two they start to adjust to the "new normal."
Here's a link to some more information on helping a grieving pet:
https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2015/09/19/helping-surviving-pet-deal-with-loss.aspx
Or a book that might be helpful:
From Sad to Glad: Helping Your Dog Survive a Loss by Phoebe Lauren
I hope this helps. Hugs to you.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025